Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

The Orlo House & Ballroom

Cocktail Hour

Dinner Reception

Our Wedding

We met in January 2020, just before the world shut down. The weekend we returned from Michael’s first trip to Florida, COVID-19 exploded, and we shifted from daily time together to hours-long FaceTime calls – watching movies, studying, and further getting to know each other. As the world adjusted, so did we. From road-tripping to Asheville to see the fall leaves, to countless dinners at Satay Thai, our 2.5 years in Nashville were amazing. After graduation we packed up and moved to our new home: my hometown of Tampa, Florida.

The Beginning - Nashville

Starting medical school at USF gave us the perfect opportunity to move to Tampa together. For the first time, we officially lived together. Asher on Water Street was our home for two years, and we watched downtown Tampa flourish – from weekend hockey games to eating at our favorite restaurants throughout South Tampa. Michael quickly bonded with my family and hometown friends, and I reconnected with lifelong friends, while building new relationships in medical school.

Moving to Tampa

By 2024, after 4 years together, I was dropping not-so-subtle hints about getting engaged. I had no idea that Michael had been planning the proposal since the previous October. His family was visiting for what I thought was one last trip before his sister welcomed her first baby. Not so coincidentally, my brother was in town “for the Lightning game.” That night, we went to Boulon, one of our favorite restaurants, to celebrate everyone being in town.I was more focused on the Lightning playoff game than anything else, and Michael told me that his family was parking and would join us shortly. The hostess almost ruined the surprise by having us wait to sit until his family was there, but they managed to seat us without spoiling it. When I opened my menu, I did not notice the letter tucked under the menu and ordered a drink. Michael recommended I check the “specials”, and I saw the note. As I read it, he got down on 1 knee and proposed. Second later, both of our families emerged from a nearby room, followed by our friends, who joined us for a perfect night – with the hockey game still on in the background.

The Proposal

With medical school still underway, we planned for a two-year engagement. As I start my final year of school, we are moving in with my parents. Ivy and her siblings will be reunited and living together full time. My mom has been an incredible help with all things related to wedding planning. Our big day falls less than a week before I graduate from medical school. We look forward to celebrating our special day with everyone!

Life as Fiancés

Our Story

Our Doodles 

Photos

Bridesmaids 

Fun Fact: I have four cats and want one more

Most Excited For: I can’t wait to see my best friend marry the love of her life and bawl my eyes out with tears of joy all day. 

Elyssa Wider

Fun Fact: My Favorite Food is Honeydew

Most Excited For: I’m most excited for the reception day of the wedding. Because I can’t think of anything more fun than celebrating the fact that Sam and Michael will be together forever. The power couple of the decade and two of the most special people I’ve ever met!

Jordan Smith

Fun Fact: I've cheered in the NFL for 3 years

Most Excited For: Helping Sam get ready on the wedding day!! 

Juliana Underwood

Fun Fact: I used to feed baby opossums for a living
Most Excited For: seeing my girl marry her perfect match and listen to my mom sob her head off 

Katie Crino

Fun Fact: my name came from a combination of my parents’ middle names - Kay and Lee
Most Excited For: I’m so excited to see my little brother marry the love of his life!

Kaylee Mayberry

Fun Fact: I like to paint and hope to become an artist.
Most Excited For: I am so excited to see Sam walk down the aisle and marry the love of her life. 

Mia Cardoso

Fun Fact: I’ve known the bride since preschool & was my very first friend
Most Excited For:  I’m most excited to just be by your side for the most special day of your life and help make your wedding/wedding planning experience as perfect as possible

Mindi Neuman

Groomsmen

Alex SchimmelBrandon TurnerDJ WilliamsJosh FosterNoah MayberryParker DavisRayna StewartRob Arakel

Wedding Party

Q + A

Please click on "website" below to access our wedding room block. A limited number of rooms have been reserved. Reserve rooms by Wednesday, April 1, 2026. After this date the block will expire and room's will not be available at a discounted rate. If you get a notice that the room block is full or have further questions regarding the block, please contact our wedding planner, Lindsay Jimison at lindsay@eventsbylj.com.

Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection

Please click on "website" below to access our wedding room block. A limited number of rooms have been reserved. Reserve rooms by Friday, April 3, 2026. After this date the block will expire and room's will not be available at a discounted rate. If you get a notice that the room block is full or have further questions regarding the block, please contact our wedding planner, Lindsay Jimison at lindsay@eventsbylj.com

Aloft Tampa Downtown

Travel

Restaurants- Boulon (French)- The Pearl (American)- Wagamama (Asian)- Naked Farmer (Healthy Bowls)- Predalina (Mediterranean)- Small Giant (American, Bar)- Chill Bros (Ice Cream) Activities- Sparkman's Wharf- Amalie Arena- Riverwalk- Tampa Bay History Museum- Straz Center for Performing Arts- Tampa Museum of Art- Bars

Downtown Tampa

Restaurants- Forbici (Italian)- Timpano (Italian)- Ro (Asian)- On Swann (American)- The Salty (Donuts)- Meat Market (Steakhouse)- Bartaco (Mexican)- Hyppo (Popsicles) - Buddy Brew Coffee (Coffeeshop)- Irish 31 (Bar) Activities- Cinebistro- Shopping

Hyde Park

Restaurants- Bern's (Steak House)- Water + Flour (Fusion)- Sweet Soul (Acai, Smoothies)- Green Lemon (Mexican)- Daily Eats (Breakfast)- Royal Thai (Thai)- Bosphorous (Turkish) Activities- Bars

SOHO

Restaurants- La Segunda (Bakery)- Colombia (Cuban)- Tampa Bay Brewing Company (Brewery) Activities- History- Bars

Ybor

St Pete Beach- Popular tourist destination- Lots of parking- Can be busy- Downtown area has lots to do Clearwater Beach- Popular tourist destination- Less free parking- Can be busy Indian Shores- Quieter, more local- Great local restaurants- Limited public parking

Beaches

Restaurants- Rocca (Italian)- Ulele (Seafood)- Hales Blackbrick (Asian)- Olivia (Italian)- Santoro's (Pizza)- Oxford Exchange (Brunch) Activities- Armature (food, rooftop bar)- Westshore Movies- International Mall- Bayshore- Davis Island (shops, restaurants)

Sam & Michael

Sam & Michael

Photos

Our Doodles